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The Brave Ones

Unlike other generations of actresses, none of these eight women are living in the margins of men. They’re creating complex characters that are often at the center of the film. Jennifer Lawrence headlines a generation of fearless, fiercely talented actresses who are putting the boys to shame. CLICK HERE to read Lynn Hirschberg's profile in the September 2010 issue.

“As a kid I wasn’t shy. I’m an extrovert who wants to be an introvert.” Lawrence’s lack of shyness has resulted in one of the boldest performances of 2010: her Ree Dolly in Winter’s Bone. Like many actresses of her generation, Lawrence started young—at 14, she left her home in Louisville, Kentucky, and moved to New York. “I don’t know if I was driven or stubborn or both,” she explains. “But I didn’t think I could fail.”